History
The unit began its distinguished history as
43 Squadron based at Pietersburg and Nigel, giving qualified pilots dual engine
conversions on Oxford aircraft. On 10 January 1944, 43 Squadron packed its bags and moved
to the deserts of North Africa.
The newly named 44 Squadron, based in Cairo,
Egypt, opened its doors on 12 March 1944. 44 Squadron immediately began flying the 23 DC-3
on strength in support of the Allied forces in North Africa, Middle East and later in the
European theatre initially under the command of Lt Col Ginn. Routine flights were extended
to Cyprus, Rabat Sala and Naples as well as Bari, Rome, Khartoum. Aden, Port Sudan,
Asmara, Palestine, Mersa, Matruh, El Adam, Shariah, Tehran, Marseilles, Forli, Cairo West
and on special occasion to the United Kingdom. A DC-3 from 44 Squadron was also based in
Russia during the historic conferences between Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill. At the
end of the war on 6 December 1945, 44 Squadron was disbanded and the aircraft returned to
the RAF. During the 19 months of operational flying 44 Squadron flew 39 423 hours at an
average of 2000 hours per month.
44 Squadron was reborn on 13 November 1953 as
a Citizen Force Transport Squadron by renaming 25 Squadron. The squadron was once again
fitted with the DC-3 and continued its role as VIP carrier and transport of man and
freight, paratrooping and the supply of an ambulance service. CF pilots were used
extensively in the after-hours and weekend periods to relieve pressure off the Permanent
Force members.
During November 1956 44 Squadron was
relocated to AFB Waterkloof from its previous home at AFB Swartkops, but returned to
Swartkops in 1963 due to accommodation problems.
1966 saw the strengthening of 44 Squadron
with the addition of the DC-4 Skymaster. A Viscount was also transferred to 44 Squadron in
1983 from 21 Squadron.
On 16 November 1968 under Cmdt G.H. Mckay, 44
Squadron received its colours from the State President Mr J.J. Fouche. The squadron motto
"Prosumus" – We serve, dates back to the Second World War.
During the post-war decades, 44 Squadron
worked its way into the hearts of not only the military community, but the civilian
community as well. This was recognised when 44 Squadron under Cmdt T.A. Hill was awarded
to Freedom of Verwoerdburg on 12 August 1987.
During the conflict in South West Africa
(Namibia), 44 Squadron operated DC-3’s in a variety of different roles including
casualty evacuation, paratrooping, lunar ops, skyshout, Supply dropping and even as a
gunship, the Dragon.
In July 1992, the squadron was transferred to
AFB Waterkloof where it remains to this day and began to operate the C47-T
"Turbodak", an upgrade of the older DC-3’s.
The Squadron operated DC-3’s until they
were all sent to 35 Squadron in 1997 to serve in the maritime role and 44 Squadron
received the CASA 212. The Casa basically took over all the roles that the Dak had filled,
and did so very successfully. Those include paratrooping, freight transport, VIP transport
and casevac. They all came from the former TBVC states. A Casa 235 from the TBVC states
has also bolstered 44 Squadrons strength as VIP carrier, Paratrooping and transport
aircraft.
In 1999 42 Squadron from AFB Swartkops
operating the Cessna 185 merged with 44 Squadron bringing the reconnaissance element to
the traditional transport squadron. The Cessna 185 is the only aircraft left in the SAAF
that is a single crew operation. It is being employed in a variety of roles including,
photographic as well as visual reconnaissance, paratrooping (freefall), command and
control, telstar, skyshout, fast extraction as well as light transport.
In short 44 Squadron is moving more and more
into the role of close battlefield support.
A squadron with a rich and prestigious
history, 44 Squadron promises to not only continue delivering the high standard of service
the nation and world expects, but to continually strive to find methods of improvement.
"PROSUMUS!"
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